Inner CV Joint, Checking

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It is necessary to disassemble the joint whenever replacing the grease or if the ball surfaces show wear or damage.

Disassembling

Fig 1: Direction To Press Out Ball Joint Housing

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Ball hub and joint are paired and should be identified before removal. Do not interchange cage allocation.

-- Swivel the ball hub and ball cage.

-- Remove the joint in the direction of the -arrow-.

-- Remove the balls from the cage.

-- Flip out ball hub from ball cage via running path of ball -arrows-.

Fig 2: Flipping Out Ball Hub From Ball Cage Via Running Path Of Ball

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Check joint piece, ball hub, ball cage and balls for small broken off depressions (pitting build-up) and chafing.

NOTE:

Excessive backlash in joint will be noticed as a knock during load changes. Joint must be replaced in such cases. Flattening and running marks of balls are no reason to replace joint.

Assembling

Fig 3: Inserting Ball Hub Over Both Chamfers Into Ball Cage

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Insert ball hub into ball cage via two chamfers. The installation position is at random. Press balls into cage.

-- Insert hub with cage and balls upright into joint piece.

When inserting, make sure that in each case the wide gap -a- at joint piece contacts narrow gap -b- at hub after swinging in.

Fig 4: Identifying Wide Space On Joint Housing Aligned With Narrow Space On Hub
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Chamfer on inner diameter of wheel hub (splines) must face toward drive axle.

-- Swing in ball hub, to do so swing out hub far enough from cage -arrows- so that the balls have the distance of the running paths.

Fig 5: Ball Hub Installed With Hub Able To Be Swivelled Out Of Cage

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-- Swing in hub with balls by pressing forcefully onto cage -arrow-.

Fig 6: Cage Pressed Firmly Until Hub Is In Position

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

Checking the Functionality of the CV Joint

The CV joint is correctly assembled when the ball hub can be moved by hand backward and forward over its entire axial movement range.

-- Press grease into joint body.

Grease Capacities and Types, Drive Axle with 108 mm Inner Constant Velocity Joint. Refer to GREASE QUANTITY AND TYPE (100MM & 108 MM) or GREASE QUANTITY AND TYPE (88MM & 100MM) .